The cool, crisp days of fall are officially upon us, and with winter just around the corner, it’s time to put the memories of pool parties, backyard barbecues, and late-night summer soirées in the rearview mirror. But that doesn’t mean we have to swear off spending time outdoors until spring. With just a few adjustments, your alfresco space can get as much foot traffic as the rest of the home during the colder months. “In my California locale, outdoor design work is really important,” says Mark D. Sikes, the interior designer whose all-American style is reflected in his projects ranging from private homes in the Hollywood Hills to Reese Witherspoon’s lifestyle boutique, Draper James, in Nashville, Tennessee. “To me the outdoors are really just an extension of the indoors, so when designing, I think of the two spaces holistically and try to find the connection from the inside to the outside. But there are some minor decorating changes you can make for winter, even in warm-weather states.” Here, we enlisted Sikes to explain how to seamlessly transition from summer to winter.

“A lot of the spaces I design have fire pits,” says Sikes. “You can move chairs, sofas, and even loungers around the fire pit or near another heated area on the patio. Also, if you have a big awning, you can create a seating configuration underneath to help temper the climate.”

2. Opt for a muted color palette

“I decorate with a lot of blues for the spring and summer, but when fall arrives, blacks and other neutrals are a little bit more appropriate,” says Sikes. “You can even have two sets of cushions for different outdoor furniture pieces: a light color for the spring and a little bit darker for fall and holiday.”

3. Add accessories

“Adding pillows and throws can make the space feel a bit more cozy,” says Sikes. “Outdoor lanterns with candles can also be pulled out and used, whether it’s for a party or just extra lighting.”

“In the spring I tend to plant hydrangeas or geraniums,” says Sikes. “These types of flowers won’t survive during the fall, so it’s important to change out these pots to something that is more of a fall botanical or garden element like chrysanthemums or Russian sage. Once the weather officially changes, I would house all terra-cotta pots in a garden structure or a designated storage area. A lot of people I know on the East Coast and other areas that have severe winters bring all of their plants into garden houses and then take the pots back out in the springtime. It’s a common practice, if you have the luxury of those spaces. Or in California you can find plants like boxes of ivy that can live outside for the entire year.”

5. Use a mix of materials

“When designing spaces for outdoors, I always have an eclectic mix of furniture,” says Sikes. “Most of the time I use teak, iron, and wicker pieces. The assortment makes it look cozy for fall, but I also think it makes for good design. I don’t like when you walk into an outdoor space and everything is from the same collection. It’s not chic at all. I’m a huge proponent of decorating, but I like my decorating not to look like it’s decorated. With that said, all-teak pieces do tend to work better for fall and winter weather because teak seating doesn’t always require cushions; therefore, you don’t worry about rain or snow ruining them.”

“I buy a lot of outdoor pieces from Munder Skiles and Inner Gardens in Los Angeles,” says Sikes. “I visited Houston recently and ran across this beautiful outdoor garden space called Thompson + Hanson—not a lot of people know about it yet. It’s very chic.”

7. Consider a larger-scale design project

“There are definitely different elements that can be added on to a house outdoors to make the space more friendly year-round,” says Sikes. “Designers can work with architects on creating screen porches, fire pits, and oversize awnings to help extend your lifestyle into winter.”

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